Ten Iranian films and co-productions are set to compete at the 43rd Fajr International Film Festival, showcasing stories of war, love, and human resilience across multiple festival sections.
The lineup includes He Does Not Sleep, Once in Eternity, The Bridge, The Calm Man, After Love, Chang’an, Xi’an, Fish on the Hook, Two Faces of Autumn, Angels Do Not Die, and The Silent Man. These films represent either entirely Iranian productions or co-productions with other countries, highlighting Iran’s cinematic diversity and talent.
From a war-stricken border village to tales of personal and societal struggle, the films explore deeply human experiences. The festival sections include the International Competition, Eastern Showcase, Perspective Section, Broken Olive, and Festival of Festivals, offering a broad platform for Iranian filmmakers to reach global audiences.
Highlighted Iranian Films at the Festival
He Does Not Sleep: Directed by Reza Jamali and produced by Reza Jamali, Bahram Azizi, and Ali Nouri Askoui, this 2025 feature follows a 65-year-old man in a border village suffering from war-induced insomnia. His sleepless nights allow him to help others in the community selflessly. The film competes in the International Competition and stars Nader Mahdilo, Hossein Abedini, and Naser Mohabi.
Once in Eternity: Directed by Mehdi Norouzian and produced by Niki Karimi, this 2024 drama follows a woman as she searches for her missing husband while navigating complex family dynamics. The screenplay was co-written by Ali Asghari, Sepideh Ghorbani, and Mehraveh Nouri. Cast includes Leila Hatami, Babak Hamidian, Navid Pourfaraj, Abbas Ghazali, and the late Bita Farahi.
The Bridge: Mohammad Asgari’s The Bridge, co-written with Pedram Karimi, follows Mousa, a teenager caught in the Iran-Iraq war. While searching for his missing brother, he finds an enemy infant on the battlefield and struggles between vengeance and humanity, ultimately taking responsibility for the child’s safety. The film stars Rouhollah Zamani, Saeed Aghakhani, Soroush Sehat, Sara Hatami, and Armin Rahimian, and is produced by Seyed Mostafa Ahmadi.
The Calm Man: Directed and written by Behnoush Sadeghi, this 99-minute feature in the Eastern Showcase tells the story of Nobahar, a young Afghan migrant who marries an older man, Zaman, against her will. As Zaman’s turbulent past emerges, Nobahar takes control of her own destiny. The film stars Mehdi Hashemi and Shamila Shirzad, with Hashemi also serving as producer.
After Love, written and directed by Mohammad Ali Safoura, also competes in the Eastern Showcase. A middle-aged photographer travels with his son to prevent him from a hasty marriage, revealing past romantic secrets along the way. Cast includes Mohsen Ghasabian, Ali Peyman, Maryam Kazemi, Ali Asghar Khatibzadeh, and Shokouh Sameh. Producer: Hasan Amjadi Moghadam.
Chang’an, Xi’an: A co-production between Iran and China, directed by Zhang Zhong and written by Narges Abyar, this Eastern Showcase feature follows aid workers in the 1960s Xinjiang desert. Decades later, the next generation faces a cotton crisis while a man’s efforts leave a lasting legacy of hope and resilience. Cast: Sao Jan, Alima, Chen Xixi, Alia Maklaibai, Bansileh. Producer: Xi Jia.
Fish on the Hook: Directed by Mohi-ud-Din Mozaffar, this Iranian-Tajik co-production in the Perspective Section tells the story of Dalir, a respected orphan boy cared for by his teacher Nigora, who views him with maternal affection. Dalir, however, longs for his mother above all else. Cast: Abdullah Abdolrahimzadeh, Siare Safarova. Producers: Mohi-ud-Din Mozaffar, Amir Tajik.
Two Faces of Autumn: Directed by Ronak Taher, this Perspective Section feature follows a female artist who must confront the trauma of a past miscarriage after taking guardianship of her niece. Cast: Shabnam Moghadami, Alireza Ara, Ali Dehkordi, Kazem Hejri Azad, Ehtesam Boroumand, Ronika Bahramzadeh. Producer: Amir Parvin Hosseini.
Angels Do Not Die: Directed by Mohammad Reza Abolhasani, this documentary-drama in the Broken Olive Section depicts the daily lives and fate of people in Gaza from the onset of Israeli ground operations to their complete experience of displacement, portrayed through a humanistic lens. Producer: Morteza Shabani.
The Silent Man: Written and directed by Ahmad Bahrami, this Festival of Festivals entry features a lone actor, Ali Bagheri. Set in a mysterious and silent village, the story follows a middle-aged cart driver transporting a corpse to the cemetery. Producer: Mohammad Hossein Khani.